1811 · Paris,
by JOMINI, General Baron Antoine Henri de (1779-1869).
Paris,: [ca.1811]., 1811. ATLAS : Oblong folio. Contains 41 engraved plates (many folding, 13 of which are heightened with hand coloring, two with added flaps). Original quarter calf, marbled boards, dual red gilt-stamped spine labels ; speckled, all edges well worn, front joint reinforced with kozo, rear joint cracked, a few white paint speckles dotting the cover. Bookplate of Francisci Carafeae, Ducis de Forli, et Comitis Policastri [Ex libris of Francesco Carafa (1781-1846)]. The maps are perfectly preserved. Lacks the text volumes. Generally a very good copy. This is the inspiration of Antoine-Henri Jomini, in compiling his notable 'Treatise on Major Military Operations, and Critical History of the Campaigns of the Revolution.' From my perspective, it seems the publication of this work is complicated. Jomini seems to have issued his maps and texts in parts and the remaining extant copies each have different aspects, different numbers of plates (one stating 42 plates, others with variable numbers of maps, say up to 29 – clearly incomplete) and the history of the texts and how they relate to the issued maps, when, is all vague. There were at least two editions issued. With the present Atlas, there is no date on the title-page, however one map shows an 1808 imprint. As the second edition was issued in 1811, this 41-map Atlas could be from that printing, or perhaps the earlier. Another issue is dated 1816 (also called a 'second' edition, thus perhaps issued from 1811-1816 and the volumes of text are as many as 8 or they could be bound in other formats – each should be considered via the publisher's name and the pagination – neither of which are answerable with this assemblage of numbered plates). / Antoine-Henri Jomini was a Swiss military officer who served as a general in French and later in Russian service, and one of the most celebrated writers on the Napoleonic art of war. Jomini was largely self-taught in military strategy, and his ideas are a staple at military academies, the United States Military Academy at West Point being a prominent example; his theories were thought to have affected many officers who later served in the American Civil War. He may have coined the term logistics in his Summary of the Art of War (1838). / In 1798, at time of the establishment of the Helvetic Republic, Jomini was an eager revolutionary and an associate of Frederic-Cesar de La Harpe. He soon found a position in the new Swiss government as a secretary for the Minister of War with the rank of captain. In 1799, after being promoted to the rank of major, Jomini took responsibility for reorganizing the operations of the ministry. In that capacity, he standardized many procedures, and used his position "to experiment with organizational systems and strategies". / After the Peace of Luneville in 1801, Jomini returned to Paris, where he worked for a military equipment manufacturer. He found the job uninteresting and spent most of his time preparing his first book on military theory: Traite des grandes operations militaires (Treatise on Major Military Operations). Michel Ney, one of Napoleon's top generals, read the book in 1803 and subsidized its publication. The book appeared in several volumes from 1804 to 1810 and was "quickly translated and widely discussed" throughout Europe. / Jomini served in the 1805 campaign by serving on Ney's staff. Jomini fought with Ney at the Battle of Ulm and in December of that year, he was offered a commission as a colonel in the French Army. / In 1806, Jomini published his views as to the conduct of the impending war with Prussia. That, along with his knowledge of Frederick the Great's campaigns, which Jomini had described in the Traite, led Napoleon to attach him to his own headquarters. Jomini was present with Napoleon at the Battle of Jena and at the Battle of Eylau, where he won the cross of the Legion of Honour. / After the Peace of Tilsit, Jomini was made chief of the staff to Ney and as well as a baron. In the Spanish campaign of 1808, his advice was often of the highest value to the marshal, but Jomini quarrelled with his chief, and he was left almost at the mercy of his numerous enemies, especially Louis Alexandre Berthier, the emperor's chief of staff. Complete list of maps available on request. PROVENANCE: The Carafa (sometimes also referred to as Caraffa or Carrafa) are a noble and ancient family of Neapolitan origin, descended from the even more ancient Caracciolo family. Divided into numerous branches, the main and most important of which are the Carafa della Spina and the Carafa della Stadera, and decorated with the highest titles, reaching the peak of its power with the election to the papal throne of Gian Pietro Carafa, pope with the name of Paul IV. Francesco Carafa Duke of Forlì, Count of Policastro, last Baron of Pesco Sannita, died in 1768. [Nobili napoletani]. See: 150th anniversary celebration of the life and legacy of General Antoine-Henri Jomini, 1779-1869. Washington, DC: Embassy of Switzerland in the United States of America, 2019. Pavillon, Olivier. General Antoine-Henri Jomini, 1779-1869. Payerne, 1969. Exposition ... organisee par le Comite du centenaire du general Jomini en collaboration avec la Bibliothèque cantanale et universitaire de Lausanne.
(Inventory #: S14191)